URI to celebrate natural body types

KINGSTON, R.I. -- February 11, 2000 -- The University of Rhode Island
will host its third annual "Seeking a Balance: Celebration of Natural
Body Types" from Monday, February 28 through Thursday, March 2 on the
Kingston Campus. All events are free and open to the public. (See accompanying
schedule for details.)

A series of displays and programs is designed to encourage acceptance
of normal body shapes and sizes as an antidote to the pressures toward thinness
that is fueling the current epidemic of eating disorders in U.S. society,
according to Grace Frenzel, University psychologist and an organizer of
the event.

"Although we do address the occurrence of eating disorders in some
of the series' events, such as the Eating Disorders Screening Program, the
predominant emphasis is on helping people to feel good about the bodies
they have and to take good care of them through healthy eating and appropriate
exercise," said Frenzel.

A highlight of the program will be "A Fashion Show for All Sizes,"
a student-produced show demonstrating how people can look good with any
body type. Julieann Costa of Newport, a URI senior, is organizing
the show under the supervision of Professor Yvette Harps-Logan of URI's
Textiles Department.

The program is sponsored by a number of URI campus offices and organizations,
including the Counseling Center; Health Services Health Education; Dining
Services; the Athletics Department; the Panhellenic Council; and Alpha Chi
Omega Sorority.

Seeking a Balance: A Celebration of Natural Body TypesMonday, February 28 - Thursday, March 2, 2000
All events are in URI's Memorial Union unless otherwise indicated.

Every Day

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: What Is Beauty? A visual celebration
of the female body across time and cultures. Location: Exhibit in the
Gallery.11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Booths near the Memorial Union's main entrance.
Displays, handouts, and knowledgeable staff addressing the following topics:
Weigh Your Self Esteem. For a pleasant surprise, check out this set of
scales! Healthy Eating and The Body at Risk: Physical Consequences of Inappropriate
Weight Loss Behaviors. Informative posters.
Healthy Eating: Balancing Your Diet. On basic nutrition.
Eating on the Run. Are you making time for nutrition?
Diets and Diet Products: Do They Really Work? To help you differentiate
hype from reality. How to Help Someone Who Has an Eating Problem. Handouts. Fighting
Back. Sign a letter to push the media toward more responsible advertising.

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eating Disorders Screening Program. Confidential,
individual screening to evaluate for the presence of eating problems; materials
on eating disorders will also be available. Location: Room 318.Noon to 1 p.m. A Fashion Show for All Sizes. "Looking Good"
can be for everyone; Tips for all body types! Location: The Memorial Union
Ballroom.1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Exercising on the Run. How to be more physically
active when you can't go to a gym. Presenter: Jay Souza, coordinator of
Fitness/Wellness Programs, Recreation. Location: Room 308.